Abstract:
Aging is associated with increased levels of coagulation
factors and decrease in natural anticoagulant factors. This
strongly supports that age-related hypercoagulable state
occurs in elderly. This study aimed to measure the plasma
levels of coagulation factors and anticoagulant levels in
young and elderly to observe the effect of age on
haemostatic system. Ninety healthy individuals, both men
and women were divided into two groups on the basis of
age. Group I included participants of less than 40 years of
age, whereas, group II comprised of participants more than
60 years of age. Fibrinogen activity was assessed by using
Clauss technique. Coagulation factor VII, and factor VIII
activity by corresponding one stage assay based on
prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time.
Antithrombin III was measured by the chromogenic method.
Our results showed that significantly increased levels of
fibrinogen (PU0.001) were observed in the elderly
population as compared to young. Higher fibrinogen levels
in younger women than men and comparatively higher level
than other races was observed in our local population.
Increase in factor VII levels (PU0.05) was also observed in
the elderly group. This increase was statistically significant with age in women (PU0.03). Factor VIII rose with age in
both sexes (PU0.001). Higher antithrombin activity was
observed in the younger group whereas the older group
demonstrated significantly lower antithrombin activity
(PU0.001). We conclude that considerable effects of age
and sex are observed on coagulation factors and naturally
occurring inhibitors.
